Pictographs and Column Graphs
Acquire data for categorical and discrete numerical variables to address a question of interest or purpose, using digital tools; represent data using many-to-one pictographs, column graphs and other displays; interpret and discuss the information that has been created.
Read this first
One picture can stand for more than one thing. The key tells you how many.
Eight children come by bus. The tallest column shows the most.
Words you need
- Key
- A note that says what one picture stands for.
- Column graph
- A graph with bars that stand up.
- Data
- The facts you collect.
Worked example
e.g. A pictograph uses one car for 5 children. There are 3 cars. How many children?
- Read the key first. One car means 5 children.
- Count the cars. There are 3.
- Work out 3 lots of 5.
- 3 x 5 = 15 children.
Always read the key before you count.
Practice
The pictures fade as you go. By the last few you are on your own.
1Which way do most children travel?with a picture
AnswerBus. Its column is tallest.
2How many more walk than come by car?with a picture
Answer2 more.
3One apple picture means 10. There are 4 apples. How many?with a hint
Need a hint?
4 lots of 10.
Answer40.
4One star means 2. How many stars show 12?with a hint
Need a hint?
How many 2s make 12?
Answer6 stars.
5Why use a key instead of one picture each?on your own
AnswerBig numbers would need too many pictures.
6How many children altogether in the graph above?on your own
Answer18.
7Half a car picture with a key of 10. How many is that?on your own
Answer5.
Think about it
1
Why must all the columns be the same width?
One good answerSo the height alone shows the amount.
2
What happens if you forget the key?
One good answerYou would read 3 cars as 3 children, not 15.
Common mistakes
Counting pictures without the key.
One picture can mean 5 or 10 or more.
Starting the graph scale above zero.
That makes small differences look huge.